NY Knicks likely to use Carmelo Anthony at power forward while Amar'e Stoudemire out with injured knee

Carmelo Anthony shows muscle with the ball against Sixers that may serve him well at power forward. (Kevin Rivoli/AP)

SYRACUSE — The Knicks are one of the few teams that can be without a player of Amar'e Stoudemire's caliber and still throw a lineup on the court featuring one of the NBA's top power forwards.

In fact, the case could be made that in today's NBA, Carmelo Anthony is more effective at that position than Stoudemire, who is not expected to be available for the Nov. 1 season opener due to a knee injury.

"It's kind of a nightmare for a lot of (power forwards) in this league because he's capable of doing so much offensively," Mike Woodson said on Monday. "He can come off screens, can run pick-and-rolls, isolation and post. There's a variety of things he can do (against) bigger fours that have to guard him."

Anthony returned to his alma mater on Monday for a preseason game against the Philadelphia 76ers and started at power forward. He scored 23 points in the Knicks' 98-90 loss. Tyson Chandler was at center, of course, while Ronnie Brewer, making his Knicks' debut, started at small forward.

Depending on Stoudemire's availability, that could be the starting front court on opening night against the Brooklyn Nets.

"I'm pretty sure I'll be there," Anthony said on Sunday about the power forward spot. "I don't have no problem. I've played it last year. I played four-five the whole summer. I have no problem playing that position. It's just a matter of us having guys at that position with Amar'e being healthy and things like that and Kurt Thomas and Rasheed (Wallace). So now I guess it's back to the drawing board with me at the power forward position."

The severity of Stoudemire's injury is unknown. The Knicks are cautiously optimistic that Stoudemire, who was found to have a popliteal cyst behind his left knee, will only be sidelined two to three weeks. Stoudemire has a long history of breaking down but he also has a reputation for being a quick healer.

The problem, however, is that the cyst was found on the same knee that required microfracture surgery five years ago.

Stoudemire's health has been an on-going issue from the moment he signed a five-year, $100 million contract in July 2010. The player has also become sensitive to the topic. During an appearance last month in Manhattan to unveil the club's new uniforms, Stoudemire appeared agitated when asked about his knees and back.

If Stoudemire misses substantial time, his absence would allow Woodson to experiment with a variety of lineups. The Knicks could play small, using a backcourt of Jason Kidd and Raymond Felton, with J.R. Smith at small forward. A lineup with Anthony and Steve Novak would give up a lot of points but Novak's perimeter shooting and Anthony's isolation game against bigger power forwards could be lethal.

"He's that nightmare matchup if he plays the three because he can overpower threes," said Sixers coach Doug Collins. "And if he plays the four, in most instances he's going to beat that guy with quickness."

If the Knicks were to have success without Stoudemire it could spark the debate that Woodson refused to engage in last season: Would the Knicks be better off with Stoudemire coming off the bench?

Eventually, Woodson may have to answer that question.

Carmelo Anthony is a ‘nightmare’ matchup for many power forwards, says Mike Woodson. Photo by AP (Ann Heisenfelt/AP)